[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2145-S2146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MAGGIE INOUYE

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, words cannot express the sadness that my 
wife, Catherine and I felt when we learned Maggie Inouye had passed 
away.
  Maggie was truly Dan's partner in life. Their courtship and marriage 
was a love story for the ages.
  As so many of us did during World War II, Dan put his education on 
hold to serve his country. When he met Maggie, Dan was finishing his 
undergraduate degree at the University of Hawaii. He knew instantly he 
wanted to marry her. On their second date, they were engaged.
  From that point on, Maggie was a constant source of support and 
friendship for Dan. She had a gift for teaching and a way with words. 
Maggie worked as a university speech instructor while Dan was finishing 
college. Many have praised Dan's speeches on the Senate floor, but few 
know Maggie had a hand in our good friend's eloquence. As Frank Fasi, 
the former mayor of Honolulu, once said, ``If anyone was responsible, 
she was responsible for [Dan's] wonderful oratory.''
  When Dan decided to go into politics, Maggie supported him, listened 
to him, and campaigned for him.
  When Dan was elected to the House of Representatives in 1959, Maggie 
came to Washington with him to help serve the people of Hawaii. It 
could not have been easy to leave her family and friends in Hawaii 
behind, but Maggie was a devoted wife--and in her own, quiet way, a 
devoted public servant.

[[Page S2146]]

  In his autobiography, Dan tells the story of the day he was elected 
to the Senate. It was Election Day in 1962, and Dan and Maggie had gone 
to the polls. As they walked toward the voting booth Dan asked Maggie, 
``How do you think you'll like being a Senator's lady?''
  Maggie looked at Dan and said, ``Being Dan Inouye's lady is what's 
important. The rest is just extra.''
  That story really tells you who Maggie Inouye was. She was an elegant 
woman. Her love for Dan was absolute, and she was completely devoted to 
him.
  Maggie lived her life with great dignity, grace, and optimism. It was 
these qualities that drew Dan to her 58 years ago. Even illness could 
not dampen her spirit.
  Catherine and I extend our deepest sympathies to Dan, their son Kenny 
and his wife Jessica, and Maggie's five sisters. Maggie will be sorely 
missed by all who knew her.
  As everyone can tell, I too have a mentor in my wife Catherine. Dr. 
Lindsey Hayes helped me prepare these remarks.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. In my capacity as a Senator from the State 
of Alaska, I ask the calling of the quorum be rescinded.
  Without objection, it is so ordered.

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